Canada’s canola industry sees a big role for government in the future.
However, it should continue to be a supporting role that grows out of needs identified by the industry, says the Canola Council of Canada in a new strategy document released during the Grainworld conference Feb. 25.
“Market access is critical for the Canadian canola industry,” says the document, entitled Market Access For The Future.
“Aligned commitment of industry and government forms the backbone of successful market access efforts. Commitment from the ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and International Trade, senior leadership within the Market Access Secretariat, government representatives of canola growing conferences and officials within various departments, embassies and agencies has been instrumental to improve market access. Industry must similarly demonstrate its commitment to be an effective partner for government to accomplish mutual goals.”
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The report pointed to the successful efforts to re-open parts of the Chinese canola crushing industry after China imposed an import ban in 2009 because of blackleg concerns.
Exports to China are still restricted, but many major Chinese crushing plants can now receive Canadian canola.
“Constant communication at multiple levels of government was a key component to success, including support at the highest levels with the prime minister of Canada present at the signing of the memorandum of understanding on blackleg research,” said the report.
The canola council listed future market access issues that will be central to ensuring that Canadian canola can reach most world markets:
- Reducing tariffs.
- Ensuring sanitary and phytosanitary regulations aren’t excuses to block trade but are science-based.
- Judging biotechnological innovations by science-based standards and not using them as trade obstructions.
- Developing sustainability definitions that cannot be abused to block trade.
The canola industry’s approach fits closely with the federal government’s trade and market access strategies. The connection of the canola industry to the federal government was strengthened last year when canola council president JoAnne Buth became a senator.
